Electronic health records - Everything you need to know

Keep easy track of your patients’ medical records with EHR. From test reports to billing, make it all available in one place.
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3 minutes
28 August 2025

What is an electronic health record (EHR)?

An electronic health record (EHR) is like a paper chart for a patient, but it is stored on a computer. EHRs are patient-centred, real-time records that allow authorised users to access information promptly and safely. An EHR contains a patient's medical and treatment history, but it can also include more than just the conventional clinical data obtained in a provider's office.

It can provide a more detailed picture of a patient's care. EHRs are important components of health IT because they can take over the following tasks easily:

  • Keep track of a patient's complete medical history.
  • Provide providers with access to evidence-based tools for making decisions about a patient's care.
  • Provide patients with access to their own health information.
  • Automate and simplify healthcare providers' work.

One of the most important things about an EHR is that it lets doctors who are allowed to do so create and manage electronic medical records in a digital format that can be shared with other providers. EHRs help share information easily with other health care providers, like labs, specialists, medical imaging centres, pharmacies, and more. This means that they include information from all professionals involved in the care of a patient.

What are the uses of EHR Systems?

Use of EHR systems

EHRs can provide a more detailed picture of a patient's care. EHRs are important components of health IT because they can take over the following tasks easily:

  • Keep track of a patient's complete medical history.
  • Provide providers with access to evidence-based tools for making decisions about a patient's care.
  • Provide patients with access to their own health information.
  • Automate and simplify healthcare providers' work.

An electronic medical report within an EHR system contains the following information about a patient’s medical history:

  • Information on administration and billing
  • Demographics
  • Notes on progress of treatment
  • Vital signs
  • Diagnoses and medications for medical conditions
  • Vaccination dates
  • Allergies of any kind
  • Images radiology departments
  • Laboratory test results

Additional Read: Ten reasons why doctors should consider going digital

Doctor Loan

Types of Electronic Health Record Systems

There are various types of electronic health record (EHR) systems available. Some common types include:

  • On-premises EHR systems: These systems are installed and operated on the healthcare organisation's own servers and infrastructure.
  • Cloud-based EHR systems: These systems store and manage patient records on remote servers accessed via the internet. They offer flexibility and scalability, as well as reduced maintenance responsibilities for the healthcare organization.
  • Web-based EHR systems: These systems are accessed through a web browser and do not require any software installation. They are typically hosted on remote servers.
  • Specialty-specific EHR systems: These systems are designed to cater to specific medical specialties, such as cardiology, dermatology, or pediatrics. They offer specialized features and workflows tailored to the needs of that particular specialty.
  • Integrated EHR systems: These systems are part of a larger healthcare information system that includes additional modules such as billing, scheduling and practice management tools.
  • Open-Source EHR systems: These systems have their source code available to the public, allowing for customisation and development by users.
  • Modular EHR systems: These systems consist of individual modules or components that can be selected and integrated based on the specific needs of the healthcare organisation.

It's important to note that the availability and features of EHR systems may vary depending on the country, healthcare provider and specific requirements of the organisation.

Benefits of EHR system in healthcare

EHRs can help you give better and safer care to your patients while also giving your clinic or hospital many advantages. EHRs help doctors better manage patient care and give better health care by:

  • Delivering accurate, up-to-date, and complete patient information at the time of care
  • Allowing quick access to patient records for more coordinated, efficient care.
  • Allowing providers to diagnose patients, eliminate medical errors, and give safer treatment by securely sharing patient information with their designated doctors.
  • Making it easier for patients and providers to interact and talk with each other, as well as making health care more convenient.
  • Promoting clear, complete documentation and accurate, simple coding and billing.
  • Protecting and securing patient data.
  • Helping clinicians be more productive and have a better work-life balance.
  • Helping providers be more efficient and reach their business goals.
  • Cutting costs by reducing paperwork, duplicate testing, and making health care better.

How to finance the purchase of an EHR system

Buy an EHR system for your clinic or hospital easily with funds from a loan for doctors. This professional loan can get a sanction up to Rs. 80 lakh. Benefit from low interest rates and repay your loan easily over a tenure going up to 8 years.

What is more, if you are an existing customer, we may already have a pre-approved offer ready and waiting for you.

Frequently asked questions

Is implementing an EHR system expensive?

The cost of implementing an EHR system can vary depending on various factors such as the size of the healthcare organisation, the complexity of the system, customisation requirements, training and ongoing maintenance. While there are expenses associated with EHR implementation, the long-term benefits and efficiency gains often outweigh the initial costs.

Is an EHR system really effective?

Yes, an EHR system can be highly effective in improving healthcare delivery. It can enhance patient care coordination, reduce errors, streamline workflows, improve accessibility to medical records, facilitate data analysis and enable better communication among healthcare providers.

How EHR is different from EMR?

Although the terms Electronic Health Records (EHR) and Electronic Medical Records (EMR) are often used interchangeably, they are not the same thing. The main difference is that EMR systems contain a patient's medical history and clinical data from a single provider or practice, while EHR systems contain a patient's medical history and clinical data from multiple providers and practices.

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